PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff
| CONTACT PG&E |
 |
| HELPFUL INFORMATION |
|
PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff Fact Sheet |
Working Together To Protect Our Communities From Wildfires
Given the continued and growing threat of extreme weather and wildfires, and as an additional precautionary measure following the 2017 and 2018 wildfires, PG&E is expanding and enhancing their Community Wildfire Safety Program to further reduce wildfire risks and help keep PG&E customers and the communities they serve safe. This includes expanding PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff program beginning with the 2019 wildfire season to include all electric lines that pass through high fire-threat areas – both distribution and transmission.
PG&E knows how much their customers rely on electric service and that there are safety risks on both sides. PG&E will only proactively turn off lines in the interest of safety to help reduce the likelihood of an ignition when extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted. While PG&E customers in high fire-threat areas are more likely to be affected, any of PG&E’s more than 5 million electric customers could have their power shut off if their community relies upon a line that passes through a high fire-threat area.
Public Safety Power Shutoff Criteria
PG&E Wildfire Safety Operations Center (WSOC) monitors fire danger conditions across their service area and evaluates whether to turn off electric power lines in the interest of safety.
Potentially Impacted Areas 
• The most likely electric lines to be considered for shutting off for safety will be those that pass through areas that have been designated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as at elevated (Tier 2) or extreme (Tier 3) risk for wildfire. This includes both distribution and transmission lines.
• The specific area and number of affected PG&E customers will depend on forecasted weather conditions and which circuits PG&E needs to turn off for public safety.
• Although a PG&E customer may not live or work in a high fire-threat area, their power may also be shut off if their community relies upon a line that passes through an area experiencing extreme fire danger conditions.
• This means that any PG&E customer who receives electric service from PG&E should be prepared for a possible public safety power outage.
PSPS Event Notifications
Extreme weather threats can change quickly. When possible, PG&E will provide customers with advance notice prior to turning off the power. PG&E will also provide updates until power is restored.
Working With PG&E Customers To Prepare
PG&E is continuing to reach out to their customers and communities about wildfire safety and steps they can take to prepare their homes, families and businesses.
• Update your contact info by visiting pge.com/mywildfirealerts today to make sure PG&E has your current contact information.
• Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
• Plan for any medical needs like medications that need to be refrigerated or devices that require power.
• Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.